Moscow International Schools
There are over 20 international schools in Moscow and the surrounding area, with 11 British schools, 3 IB schools in Moscow and 2 American schools. Most are English speaking and some are bi and multi-lingual. Read on to find out what the areas of Moscow are like and how they relate to some of the best Moscow international schools.
Life in Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the largest city in Europe by area. It is also one of the most populous cities in the world with an estimated current population of more than 15 million within the city limits and 25 million within its metropolitan area. According to the 2019 Forbes List, Moscow is home to more billionaires than anywhere else in the world apart from New York and Hong Kong. Moscow has a rich cultural history and is well known for its unique and beautiful architecture, art, classical music and ballet. The city is easy to get around on foot or by public transport, although the metro gets very crowded during rush hour. The roads are very busy with frequent traffic jams. In recent years Moscow has become a real culinary capital with plenty of excellent restaurants coffee shops. It is a common misconception that Russians are unfriendly. In Russian culture it is unusual to smile at strangers. Most Russians are warm, sincere and honest and will give you a genuine smile once they get to know you.
Central Moscow
Arbat
The prestigious district of Arbat is centrally located in the western part of the city and home to a number of embassies. It is a popular area rich in beautiful architecture and luxurious apartments.
Tverskaya
The central, convenient and lively Tverskaya Street in the north westerly part of the city leads directly to Red Square and the Kremlin. There are, however, some quieter side streets, like Kamergersky Lane, with beautiful housing and an abundance of restaurants and cafés.
Patriarshiye Prudy
To the southern side of Tverskaya Street is the popular family area of Patriarshiye Prudy (Patriarch's Ponds). This is a calm and quiet neighbourhood around a beautiful city park.
Basmanny District
To the east of the city centre is the Basmanny District, a clean, green neighbourhood considered to be a calm oasis in the heart of the city. This area is home to Chistye prudy (Clean Ponds), a popular park with paddle boats to rent in the Summer or ice skates in the Winter.
Tretyakov Gallery
Situated in the southern part of the city, the Tretyakov Gallery area is lively with plenty of upmarket bars and coffee shops. There are some quieter neighbourhoods off the main streets of Pyatnitskaya and Ordynka.
Outside the Garden Ring
Fruzenskaya Area
To the south west of the city, just outside the Garden Ring, is the Fruzenskaya embankment. This area is very leafy and green overlooking the Moscow River and Gorky Park. This area is popular with families but apartments are often quite small and expensive.
Leningradsky Prospekt
Leningradsky Prospekt is a busy avenue to the north west of the city that connects with the top of Tverskaya Street at its southern end. This quirky, bohemian area, famous for its Artist's Village (Sokol area), is leafy and green with some remaining dachas (Russian country cottages).
Outer areas of Moscow
Botanical Garden District
Around 10 km to the north of the centre is the green district of Moscow's Botanical Gardens, one of the largest in Europe, is a great place which boasts a valuable collection of rare plants while providing visitors with the opportunity to plunge into the world of nature without having to leave the city. It is also home to one of the most visited and favorite places of rest and entertainment for guests and residents of the capital - VDNHa - the Park, Exhibition and Cultural Complex.
Pokrovsky Hills
Around 15 km to the north west of the city centre is Pokrovsky Hills, an exclusive gated, residential community with family housing situated in a hilly, wooded area adjacent to the several international schools.
Rosinka
Another 5 km further to the north west of the city centre is Rosinka. This luxurious, gated international community of individual family homes is spread over 134 acres with facilities including a private lake with its own beach, a woodland nature reserve, playgrounds and a leisure centre with sports facilities, conference facilities and a restaurant.
Serebryany Bor
Just under 20 km to the west of the city is the ecological forest park island of Serebryany Bor. In addition to the protected ancient woodland this area has clean beaches, a watersports complex, marinas and stables. This area also has spacious, family housing.